1. Reassuring-comforting, giving hope or confidence
2. Contraption- strange machine or gadget
3. Assured- guaranteed, promised confidently
4. Formidable- awe-inspiring, impressive
Summary
Ernesto’s family has recently moved to Sacramento, California, from Mazatlan, Mexico, and he is enrolling as a first-grader at the Lincoln School. Despite his initial anxiety about attending a new school in a new land, Ernesto receives a warm welcome from the principal. His remaining fears are dispelled by his teacher, who guides Ernesto through the “awful idiocies of the English Language.” At the school, the boy learns that he can be proud of his ethnic heritage while adapting to the language and culture of his new home.
Comprehension Points
1. From the story, you can tell that Ernesto learns to like the variety and challenge of his school.
2. Miss Ryan does not allow Ernesto to change the subject from English when he tries to compare difficult pronunciations in Spanish.
3. The children learn insults about people’s race or ethnic background from the elders.
4. Students at Lincoln School learn that they can be Americans without giving up their traditions.
5. Barrio Boy is an example of a personal essay.
6. Based on Barrio Boy, one can infer that the events really did happen to the author, other people have had experiences like Ernesto’s and Americans can learn how many immigrants feel.
7. Ernesto is like the other students in his class in that he does not know English.
8. Ernesto’s school in California has a shingled roof and automatic doors, unlike his school in Mexico.
Essay Question
Miss Ryan helps Ernesto adjust to Lincoln School. Write a paragraph in which you describe what she does to help him feel comfortable. You must provide at least two examples from the selection to support you description. At the end of the paragraph, identify which of her actions you think makes Ernesto feel the most comfortable.
“from Barrio Boy” by Ernesto Galarza
Words to Own
Summary
Ernesto’s family has recently moved to Sacramento, California, from Mazatlan, Mexico, and he is enrolling as a first-grader at the Lincoln School. Despite his initial anxiety about attending a new school in a new land, Ernesto receives a warm welcome from the principal. His remaining fears are dispelled by his teacher, who guides Ernesto through the “awful idiocies of the English Language.” At the school, the boy learns that he can be proud of his ethnic heritage while adapting to the language and culture of his new home.
Comprehension Points
Essay Question
Miss Ryan helps Ernesto adjust to Lincoln School. Write a paragraph in which you describe what she does to help him feel comfortable. You must provide at least two examples from the selection to support you description. At the end of the paragraph, identify which of her actions you think makes Ernesto feel the most comfortable.